Service to honor homeless who died in 2017

MIDDLETOWN — People who are homeless can be invisible. Contrary to many of the stereotypes of homelessness, many do not stand out because they do not want to be seen as different than people who have a roof over their heads.

When you make the effort to sit with a person who is experiencing homelessness, you hear about their fascinating and complex lives. Their stories are as old as time— stories of loss and redemption, illness and healing, loneliness and camaraderie — feelings that we have all felt at one time or another.

Our annual homelessness memorial service gives you an opportunity to sit and be present with our neighbors who have experienced homelessness. It is a way to honor those who have struggled in this life and died while homeless in 2017. It will be held Thursday at 4 p.m. at the Church of the Holy Trinity on Main Street in Middletown and is organized by the Community Health Center. After the service, we will take a walk down Main Street to St. Vincent DePaul Middletown for a delicious community dinner. Please join us.

During the memorial service, you will hear Ron Krom, Executive Director of St. Vincent DePaul Middletown, read the names aloud of each of the 18 people who passed away this year, and loved ones will light candles in their honor. You will hear from people whose lives have been forever changed by homelessness. Perhaps we can learn from their stories and find long-term solutions.

Over the past decade, our community responded to the call to end homelessness in our region. We have made great strides. Overall homelessness has been reduced by over 50 percent. The length of stay at our shelters is decreasing, because we have the resources to help chronically homeless people gain permanent housing. We now have one point of entry through the Connecticut United Way 2-1-1 Infoline to access housing and services.

We’ve had many successes, but there are still many challenges before us. Homelessness among our youth and young adults is increasing. We need more resources for families who are homeless. You will hear more about our efforts at the Middlesex United Way to address these issues in the coming year.

On Dec. 21, the longest night of the year, join in solidarity to shed light on those who lived in the shadows of our community. Your presence matters.